Three long days had passed since I’d seen Emily. I’d been off my game at work. Hell, I’d been distracted and fucking irritable enough that everyone must have noticed. I slammed my laptop shut and spun in my chair to stare out across the city. I heard the door open behind me.

“I brought coffee,” Ben said, holding it out like a peace offering. “Leaded, not decaf, although you seem wired enough already…” I took the cup with a grudging smile. “And your sister asked me to remind you about dinner tonight… with your father…”

“I know,” I said, taking a bitter sip. “He issues the summons, and we appear. It’s only been a fucking year, after all…”

“Well, I think it still means something to Amelia,” he replied, sitting down on the other side of my desk. “I think she needs as much loyal male support as she can get these days. Word is, now Cliff’s been photographed with some model he’s been screwing. It must have been humiliating enough before, but with goddamned proof…”

“That fucking bastard…,” I hissed through my teeth, slamming my cup down and burning the back of my hand in the process. “I confronted that asshole about this kind of shit, and he promised me he was through. He promised Amelia too… and she fucking believed him.” I raked my hands through my hair and leaned my elbows onto the desk. For a few long minutes, I couldn’t even speak. Amelia deserved so much more. She always had…

“Ben,” I began, staring at him hard and keeping my voice low. “This is exactly what made me swear off the fucking competition in the first place.

It was just a game in the beginning. A bunch of spoiled shits like us, looking for a thrill. But somewhere along the way, we lost the awareness that people can get hurt. The risks we took, that you and Sutton and the others are still taking, aren’t just our own risks. The women don’t even realize what’s at stake. And they end up the ones who pay the biggest price.”

“I know, he said, looking away from eyes. “I haven’t exactly sworn off the way you have, but I’m beginning to see why you did. The reputation of the company is a lot to risk, especially when it’s half the reason our investors are as generous as they are… But I don’t think Sutton has any intention of throwing in the towel. In fact, I hear he’s got something in the planning stages that’s gonna make last weekend look like a damned sewing circle.”

“Fuck… fuck…” I picked up my phone by reflex and slammed it back down. We were partners in the business. He was just as important to our success as I was, as Ben was. I had the right to choose my own behaviors, but did I have the right to dictate his? Maybe the fact that, sooner or later, there would be graphic and very public proof of our own depravity was privilege enough. We simply had too much to lose. And, one way or another, he would have to accept it. He would have to stop.

“Daddy,” Amelia leaned in to kiss his rough, reddened cheek. “You’re looking well… It’s so lovely of you to have invited us…”

“Lovely, indeed,” I said, grasping the hand my father extended. “John.” I gave a curt nod. “How was Switzerland?”

“Zurich is too cold this time of year,” he replied, withdrawing his hand and heading for the bar. His penthouse was empty most of the year, paid for by his third wife’s fortune… and his fourth’s.

“Scotch?” he asked, lifting the crystal decanter so that the amber fluid caught the light. “Cook says dinner will be a little late…”

“Just soda water for me,” Amelia said, sinking down into a velvet armchair. Dad lifted his bushy brows at me in question and I nodded, accepting the glass he offered.

“So… congratulations are in order,” he said, clapping me on the back and handing Lia her glass. “A five hundred million dollar deal… I heard about it on the AP.” He sat down next to my sister, dwarfing her with his size and the volume of his voice. “Remind me, what’s all that money actually for?”

“Forecasting global consumer trends,” I replied, bristling as I always did around my father. “That, and creating the infrastructure to support those trends.”

“Like building the wall first and then shooting craps against it,” he laughed, disagreeably. “Whatever keeps the cash rolling in, eh, son? Whatever it takes to keep on winning…”

I gritted my teeth and looked at my watch. Another hour… two, tops. Then he’d not-so-subtly ask for what he considered his due, and I’d be free of him for another year or so. Or at least, until the next big deal came through…

“So how’s my little kitten,” he went on, sitting down on the arm of Amelia’s chair. “And how is… uh… How’s your husband doing these days? You two still in that same condo?” I watched as Lia’s face went pale and her lower lip started to tremble.

“His name is Cliff,” I said through my teeth, working to keep my temper. “And you know damned well he moved out six months ago when he filed for separation. Or you would, if you gave a shit.”

“Of course, of course, that’s right. Some little indiscretion of his,” he patted the back of her head carelessly. “But that’s my girl… Smart enough to keep the real estate. Just make sure you come out on top… Did I already give you the number of my divorce attorney? Fine man, Pryce. The man could skin a mink coat off a Mexican Hairless…

Play your cards right, and you could be set up for the rest of your life.”

It was the sound she made, coming from deep down inside… the sound of pure pain that had me pulling her to her feet, wrapping her in my arms. She buried her face in my shoulder and I could feel her silent sobs shaking her body.

“It’s only respect for her… that keeps me from telling you exactly what I think of you and your fucking philosophy,” I said, forcing my voice to stay low. “She isn’t looking to win anything, John. Her heart is broken, and she’s trying to find a way to forgive Cliff for hurting her.” I gathered her handbag from the chair without letting her go and grabbed our jackets from the back of the sofa. “And I don’t think either of us has any appetite for dinner anymore.”

With one free hand, I pulled the check out of my pocket… the one I knew from pure habit to have ready for him tonight. I drew out a pen and scrawled out my signature. The amount, I left blank.

“Just take what you want, John,” I said thrusting it into his open hand.

“Whatever your conscience allows you… The more time that passes before we have to see your face again, the better for all of us.”